Can you explain linking verbs? I'm getting confused. (To decide, I used 'is' or 'was' to replace the verb). These are the ones I missed.
1. Paul's exhibit remained on display for an entire month.
By replacing with 'was', the sentence still makes sense (exhibit was on display). Correct answer is an action verb, but I thought it was a linking verb.
2. This shampoo smells like citrus fruit.
Replaced with 'is' and it still makes sense (shampoo is like citrus). Correct answer is action verb, but i thought it was linking verb.
#1 "on display" is just a prepositional phrase, so the basic sentence is
exhibit remained.
No linking verb there.
#2 same thing. Toss out the PP to get
shampoo smells.
No linking.
If you say the shampoo smelled nasty, then it links, because nasty describes the shampoo, not the smelling.
Your reasoning is good, but these are tough.
A linking verb links the subject with a noun that means the same or an adjective that describes the subject. Both of those verbs are followed by prepositional phrases that do not describe the subject.
If the first sentence said "Paul's exhibit remained popular." the verb would be a linking verb. In the second sentence, "The shampoo smells fragrant, the verb would be linking.
ok.. i think i got it. thanks!
Thanks Steve and Ms. Sue!
You're welcome.
The sky appears sunnier than yesterday.
Linking verbs, also known as copular verbs, are verbs that connect the subject of a sentence with a noun, pronoun, or adjective that renames or describes it. Linking verbs do not show action; instead, they link or equate the subject with the complement.
In order to determine whether a verb is a linking verb or an action verb, one method is to substitute the verb with "is" or "was" and see if the sentence still makes sense.
1. In the sentence "Paul's exhibit remained on display for an entire month," if we substitute "remained" with "was" ("Paul's exhibit was on display for an entire month"), the sentence still makes sense. However, "on display for an entire month" doesn't rename or describe Paul's exhibit but rather describes what the exhibit did, suggesting that "remained" is an action verb. Therefore, the correct answer is an action verb, not a linking verb.
2. In the sentence "This shampoo smells like citrus fruit," if we substitute "smells" with "is" ("This shampoo is like citrus fruit"), the sentence still makes sense. Additionally, "like citrus fruit" describes the smell of the shampoo, which indicates that "smells" is a linking verb. Therefore, the correct answer in this case is indeed a linking verb.
It is important to note that this is just one method for determining whether a verb is a linking verb or an action verb. Sometimes, the meaning and context of the sentence can further clarify the role of the verb.